Personal protection device

ABSTRACT

A personal protection device for protecting a portion of a user&#39;s body is described. The device has an inflatable element intended to protect at least partially an area of the torso of the user, which includes a first protective portion intended to protect at least a first lateral area of the torso between a right lower rear back area, or right lower-back, and a right chest area, passing on a right side below a right armpit area, and a second protective portion intended to protect at least the other lateral area of the torso of the user between a left lower rear back area, or left lower-back, and a left chest area passing on a left side below a left armpit area. The right lower rear back area and the left lower rear back area are provided with respective openings for introducing the inflation gas. The personal protection device includes one or more pressurised-gas generators. The pressurised-gas generator is adapted to introduce gas into the right lower rear back area and into the left lower rear back area.

The present disclosure relates to a protection device for providing personal protection for a user. The protection device includes an inflatable element adapted to protect from impacts and/or falls a skier, a motorcycle rider or passenger or a similar user, during a sporting and/or working activity.

In recent years, following constant research into safety during all sporting activities, but more generally all those dangerous activities practised in extreme conditions, or at high speeds, in particular in the skiing and motorcycle sector, there has been an increase in the protection devices proposed with a view to providing both practical and effective protection of the upper portion of a user's body, with the aid of an inflatable element. In particular, during an impact, a sliding action or generally a fall, the inflatable element is placed in fluid communication with a fluid source, such as a compressed-gas cylinder or fluid generator.

More particularly, during an impact, the inflatable element creates an air cushion around the upper portion of the user's body, allowing the user's body to be protected against impacts. Even more particularly, a known personal protection device includes an inflatable element which protects the user's chest. The chest constitutes, as is known, a “vital” zone for a user, which, if not suitably protected, may result in the vital organs being vulnerable. In order to inflate rapidly the chest protection and reduce the gas flow path, the compressed-gas cylinder is arranged in the front area of the chest or along the sides.

The present disclosure is based on a recognition by the inventor of the present disclosure that a personal protection device such as that hitherto made available by the prior art, while being advantageous from many points of view has not always proved to be sufficient for ensuring satisfactory mobility and comfort of a user. Basically, the inflatable element has been designed hitherto to ensure rapid inflation in the chest area, to the detriment, however, of the user comfort. Moreover, the arrangement of the gas cylinder in the front zone may be dangerous for the user in the event of a fall, since it may interfere with the vital organs.

On the basis of said recognition, a personal protection device, the main characteristic features of which are respectively specified in the first claim, together with a method for protecting a user according to claim 21, are provided.

Secondary characteristic features forming the subject of the present disclosure are defined in the corresponding dependent claims.

The subject of the present disclosure provides a number of major advantages.

In particular, the inventor of the present disclosure has recognised that a suitable protection in the chest area depends on a rapid inflation of the inflatable element and that this rapid inflation depends, in turn, on the close correlation between the shape or form of the inflatable element and the position of one or more gas generators, such as a compressed-gas generator, so as to control a priori the gas flow path and the simultaneous inflation of the airbag in given zones of a user's body.

Even more particularly, the present disclosure is based on the intuition that, by positioning the gas generator in a lower area of the back, or lower-back zone, in combination with a structure or configuration of the inflatable element which extends from the lower-back zone and reaches the chest, on both the right side and left side, passing underneath the armpits, the following may be obtained:

-   -   satisfactory protection of a user's chest,     -   rapid inflation of the inflatable element in the area of the         chest and sides, and     -   minimum volume of the protection device and consequent reduced         discomfort for the user.

The inflatable element may be inflated very rapidly within 80 mm and also below 45 mm in the case of certain inflatable elements, namely even before a user falls from a vehicle which has suffered an impact.

According to the present disclosure, the protection device includes a first protective portion of the inflatable element which is placed in a first lateral area of the torso, between a right lower rear back area, or right lower-back, and a right chest area, passing on a right side below a right armpit area,

A second protective portion of the inflatable element is placed on the other lateral area of the torso of the user between a left lower rear back area, or left lower-back, and a left chest area passing on a left side below a left armpit area.

In practice, the inflatable element is configured to surround the user's torso on both the right and left sides, starting form the back until the chest is reached from below the armpits.

The right lower rear back area and the left lower rear back area are associated with one or more pressurised-gas generators, which is/are also preferably located in the lower-back zone.

In a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, the first protective portion and the second protective portion each a have a substantially C-shaped form and are arranged with their concavities directed towards each other so as to define an annular configuration or structure of the inflatable element. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the inflatable element also includes a back protection portion intended to protect the back and connected to the left chest area and to the right chest area by means of connecting portions which adapted to be arranged on the shoulders along the sides of the neck.

As a result of the above, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, with the protection device according to the present disclosure it is possible to inflate the chest area passing below the armpits and reaching the back from the chest area passing via the shoulders, in a direction which starts from the lower-back zone, continues towards the front zone and returns to the rear zone.

It is to be understood that the left chest area and the right chest area of the inflatable element may be two inflatable bags joined by means of a zip or other connecting structure, or may be united in a single bag continuously.

The inflatable element may be as a whole a single inflatable element which includes the right lower rear back area, or right lower-back, the right chest area and the right side area arranged between the right lower rear back area and the right chest area, the left lower rear back area, or left lower-back, the left chest area and the left side area arranged between the left lower rear back area and the left chest area. In one embodiment, the inflatable element may also include the back protection portion.

In one embodiment, the left chest area and the right chest area of the inflatable element are two bags overlapped in a front zone.

In one embodiment, the left chest area and the right chest area of the inflatable element are two differently sized bags, one bag being bigger and covering continuously all the chest area and one being smaller and acting as a channel for the gas flow, so that it may reach the back passing via one of the shoulders.

In one embodiment, a single pressurised-gas generator is arranged in the centre of the lower-back zone and is connected to the right lower rear back area and the left lower rear back area by means of respective openings for introducing gas for inflating the inflatable element. The compressed-gas generator may also be configured to emit the gas in the two right and left directions by means of a Y-shaped outlet. Alternatively two gas generators may be provided, one connected in fluid communication with the right lower rear back area and the other connected in fluid communication with the left lower rear back area of the inflatable element.

Alternatively, in one embodiment, it is possible to envisage a gas generator arranged within the right lower rear back area of the inflatable element and a gas generator arranged within the left lower rear back area of the inflatable element.

In accordance with these embodiments, the inflatable element is inflated from the right lower rear back area and from the left lower rear back area so as to reach the chest area passing below the armpits of the user. The path passing below the armpits is the most rapid.

Owing to the arrangement of the gas generators within the right lower rear back area and the left lower rear back area it is possible to obtain even more rapid inflation.

Moreover a positioning of one or more pressurised-gas generators in the low back area does not hinder, or creates minimum discomfort for, the mobility of the user when wearing the personal protection device. In this position, a rigid support may also be provided for the pressurised-gas generator, without creating obstacles for a user.

Other advantages, characteristic features and modes of use forming the subject of the present disclosure will become clear from the following detailed description of a number of preferred examples of embodiment thereof, provided by way of a non-limiting example. It is evident, however, that each example of embodiment may have one or more of the advantages listed above; in any case it is not required that each embodiment should have simultaneously all the advantages listed.

Reference will be made to the figures of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a top plan view of a protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, resting on a surface;

FIG. 2 shows a rear side view of a protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 3 shows a front side view of a protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 5 shows a rear side view of a protection device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 6 shows a top plan view of a protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, resting on a surface;

FIG. 7 shows a rear side view of a protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 8 shows a front side view of a protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a protection device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 10 shows a rear side view of a protection device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 11 shows a front side view of a protection device according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 12 shows a front side view of a protection device according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure, in a condition when worn;

FIG. 13 shows a cross-section along the line XII-XII of FIG. 7.

With reference to the accompanying FIGS. 1-5, the reference number 10, 110 indicates a personal protection device according to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. The personal protection device 10, 110 is a device which can be worn.

The personal protection device 10, 110 comprises an inflatable element 12 which is adapted to assume substantially a first rest condition or deflated condition, and a second active condition or inflated condition. The modes of inflating the inflatable element 12 will be described in the description below.

The inflatable element 12, which may be made using the technology described in the patent application PCT/IB2009/055512 and in the patent application PCT/IT2009/000547, which are incorporated in the present disclosure in their entirety by way of reference source, is intended to protect at least partially a torso zone of the user.

In particular, the inflatable element 12 includes a first protective portion 13 having a substantially C-shaped form and intended to protect at least a first lateral area of the torso. The first protective portion 13 includes a right lower rear back area 13 a, or right lower-back, a right chest area 13 b and a right side area 13 c for positioning underneath a right armpit area, arranged between the right lower rear back area 13 a and the right chest area 13.

The inflatable element 12 also includes a second protective portion 14 having a substantially C-shaped form and intended to protect at least the other lateral area of the torso of the user. The second protective portion 14 includes a left lower rear back area 14 a, or left lower-back, a left chest area 14 b and a left side zone 14 c for positioning below a left armpit area, arranged between the left lower rear back area 14 a and the left chest area 14 b.

The first protective portion 13 and the second protective portion 14 are arranged with their concavities directed towards each other so as to define an open annular configuration (see FIG. 1).

In one embodiment, such as the one shown in FIGS. 1-4, the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a are provided with respective openings 15, 16 for introducing the inflation gas.

The personal protection device 10 includes a pressurised-gas generator 18 which is placed in fluid communication with the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a for introducing gas into the respective openings 15, 16, namely from a lower-back zone.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in FIGS. 1-4, the pressurised-gas generator 18 is arranged in an intermediate position between the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a. In this way, the gas is distributed in a balanced manner, for example by means of two respective right and left pipes 20, 21 in the inflatable element 12.

Even more particularly, in one embodiment, such as that shown in FIGS. 1-4, the pressurised-gas generator 18 is arranged below the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, such as the one shown in FIG. 5, the personal protection device 110 includes a gas generator 118 a arranged within the right lower rear back area 13 a of the inflatable element 12 and a gas generator 118 a arranged within the left lower rear back area 14 a of the inflatable element 12.

In practice, the personal protection devices 10, 110 according to FIGS. 1-4 and FIG. 5 differ from each other in terms of the number and position (internal or external) of the gas generators with respect to the inflatable element 12.

Apart from these differences, it can be seen that in both the embodiments the generator(s) is/are adapted to introduce gas from the lower-back zone so as to reach the chest passing underneath the armpits.

As a result, by means of the protection device 10, 110 according to the present disclosure, the inflation gas is introduced from the lower-back zone, so as to reach very rapidly the chest zone, passing underneath the armpits. As a result, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure such as those shown, the gas cannot pass through the high zone of the back and shoulders in order to reach the chest.

Owing to the “lower-back” position of one 18 or both the gas generators 118 a, 118 b, moreover, in accordance with some embodiments, it is possible to combine the inflatable element 12 with a back protector 30, without impeding the mobility of the user.

The pressurised-gas generator 18 or gas generators 118 a, 118 b may in fact be supported by a lumbar protector, or by a support 31 fixed to the back protector 30 or on a bottom appendage of the back protector 30, as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the pressurised-gas generator 18 or the gas generators 118 a, 118 b may be supported on a supported associated with a garment of the user or on another support. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a protective plate 32, arranged on the outer side, may be provided in order to protect the pressurised-gas generator 18 from external impacts.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the protection device 10,110 comprises at least one traction element 23, for example an elastic band which connects the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a and prevents any mutual separating movement when the inflatable element 12 is rapidly inflated by the gas.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the inflatable element 12 includes a right neck portion intended to be placed around a right neck region 26 and a left neck portion 27 intended to be placed around a left neck region 28. The right neck portion 25 is connected in fluid communication with the right chest area 13 b and the left neck portion 27 is connected in fluid communication with the left chest area 14 b.

As a result, with respect to a flow path for the gas from the “lower-back” area, the right neck portion 25 is an inflation area more remote than the right chest area 13 b and the left neck portion 27 is an inflation area more remote than the left chest area 14 b.

Moreover, in one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the device 10, 110 comprises a right shoulder portion 34 intended to be placed on a right shoulder 35 and a left shoulder portion 36 intended to be placed on a left shoulder 37.

The right shoulder portion 34 is in fluid communication with, and branches off from, the right neck portion 25 and the left neck portion 36 is in fluid communication with, and branches off from, the left neck portion 27, as can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 4.

In this way, the same inflation gas which reaches the right chest area 13 b and the left chest area 14 b, may be used to protect rapidly also the neck and shoulder region of the user.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the right neck portion 25 and the left neck portion 37 are joined together, for example by means of stitching, along a zone at the back of the neck, namely in the back zone. This therefore prevents any possible movement away from each other of the right neck portion 25 and left neck portion 27 when the inflatable element 12 is rapidly filled by the gas.

It may be seen that the personal protection device 10, 110 can also be easily worn. In fact a user may place, on his/her back, the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a and, on back of his/her neck, the right neck portion 25 and the left neck portion 27, inserting the arms over the left side area 14 c and the right side area 13 c, so as to position on the chest the right chest area 13 b and the left chest area 14 b.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the personal protection device 10, 110 comprises at least one first band 38 connected to the right shoulder portion 34 and forming with the right shoulder portion 34 an annular structure for receiving an arm of a user. The personal protection device 10 also includes a second band 39 connected to the left shoulder portion 36 and forming with the left shoulder portion 36 an annular structure for receiving the other arm of a user. The first band 38 and the second band 39 allow the right shoulder portion 34 and the left shoulder portion 36 to be kept in position when the inflatable element 12 is rapidly inflated by the gas.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the personal protection device 10, 110 comprises a connecting structure 40 for connecting the first protective portion 13 and the second protective portion 14 in the chest area of the user. In particular, the right chest area 13 b and the left chest area 14 b are connected together.

The connecting structure may be a zip which extends continuously along a respective free edge of the right chest area 13 b and the left chest area 14 b, in order to ensure a continuous connection.

It should be noted that, owing to the presence of the connecting structure 40, the traction element 23 and/or the bands 38, 39, it is possible to obtain a protection device which can be easily worn and may remain in position also during inflation. In order to favour the stability, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, further traction elements 41, 42 may be provided, these connecting the back protector 30 to the right neck portion 25 and to the left neck portion 27.

With regard to inflation, in order to perform inflation of the inflatable element 12, in the event of a fall and/or sliding and/or sudden impact involving a user or a vehicle being ridden, the protection device 10, 110 is adapted to cooperate with special activation means (not shown) which are operationally connected to one or more pressurised-gas generators 18, 118 a, 118 b which may be a cylinder containing a compressed cold gas, such as helium. The cylinder may be provided with a respective shut-off valve (not shown).

It should be noted that in all the embodiments described above the position of the cylinder(s) with respect to the inflatable element 12 is such as to allow, for the inflation fluid, the minimum path for inflating both the first protective portion 13 and the second protective portion 14 in the chest area of the user.

Alternatively, the inflation fluid source may comprise gas generators preferably of the pyrotechnic type or hybrid type or other types known according to the state of the art.

Opening of the shut-off valve of each inflation cylinder is preferably controlled by a control unit depending on detection of the user state; for example said control unit may implement a system for predicting the fall which allows early identification of the fall event and a reliable prediction of this by accelerometer sensor means attached to the vehicle/ski (or rider/skier) and a unit for processing the signals produced by the said sensors.

Alternatively, the device according to the present disclosure may also be applied using an activation cable connected to a vehicle ridden by a user, which cable activates inflation of the inflatable element following the movement of the user away from the vehicle, following a fall or a sudden impact.

In any case the aforementioned activation and inflation means may be integrated in the protection device according to the present invention or located on the outside thereof.

It should also be noted that the activation modes, although being an aspect of particular importance for effective operation of the device, will not be further described in greater detail since they are methods which are essentially already known to a person skilled in the art of protection of an individual from sudden impacts.

With reference to FIGS. 6-13, the reference number 210, 310, 410, 510 indicates a personal protection device according to a number of embodiments of the present disclosure. The personal protection device 210, 310, 410, 510 is a device which can be worn. For these other examples of embodiment, indicated by the reference numbers 210, 310, 410, 510, elements which have the same function and structure retain the same reference number as the embodiments previously described.

The embodiments of the personal protection device 210, 310, 410, 510 have numerous parts in common and some structural differences which will be highlighted in the present description below.

The personal protection device 210, 310, 410, 510 comprises an inflatable element 12 which is adapted to assume substantially a first rest condition or deflated condition, and a second active condition or inflated condition. The modes of inflating the inflatable element 12 will be described in the description below.

The inflatable element 12, which may be a single bag and made using the technology described in the patent application PCT/IB2009/055512 and in the patent application PCT/IT2009/000547, which are incorporated herein in the present disclosure in their entirety by way of reference source, is intended to protect at least partially an area of the torso of the user.

In particular, the inflatable element 12 includes a first protective portion 13 intended to protect at least a first lateral area of the torso. The first protective portion 13 includes a right lower rear back area 13 a, or right lower-back, a right chest area 13 b, 213 b, 313 b and a right side area 13 c for positioning underneath a right armpit area, arranged between the right lower rear back area 13 a and the right chest area 13 b, 213 b, 313 b.

The inflatable element 12 also includes a second protective portion 14 intended to protect at least the other lateral area of the torso of the user. The second protective portion 14 includes a left lower rear back area 14 a, or left lower-back, a left chest area 14 b, 214 b, 314 b and a left side zone 14 c for positioning below a left armpit zone, arranged between the left lower rear back area 14 a and the left chest area 14 b, 214 b, 314 b.

The first protective portion 13 and the second protective portion 14 are arranged so as to define an open annular configuration (see FIG. 6) which surrounds the torso of the user from the back to the chest passing underneath the armpits.

In one embodiment, such as the one shown in FIGS. 6-9, the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 b, 214 b, 314 b are provided with respective openings 15, 16 for introducing the inflation gas from the rear lower-back zone.

The personal protection device 210 includes a pressurised-gas generator 18 which is placed in fluid communication with the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a for introducing gas into the respective openings 15, 16, namely from a lower-back zone.

In one embodiment, such as the one shown in FIGS. 6-9, the pressurised-gas generator 18 is arranged in an intermediate position between the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a. In this way, the gas is distributed in a balanced manner, for example by means of two respective right and left pipes 20, 21 in the inflatable element 12.

Even more particularly, in one embodiment such as the one shown in FIGS. 6-9, the pressurised-gas generator 18 is arranged below the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, such as that shown in FIG. 10, the personal protection device 310 includes a gas generator 118 a arranged within the right lower rear back area 13 a of the inflatable element 12 and a gas generator 118 a arranged within the left lower rear back area 14 a of the inflatable element 12.

The position of the gas generator 18 shown in FIGS. 6-9 or the gas generator 118 a, 118 b shown in FIG. 10 may be adapted to all those embodiments described here, and also to those shown in FIGS. 11-13.

In practice, the personal protection devices 210, 310, 410, 510 according to FIGS. 6-9 and FIG. 10 differ from each other in terms of the number and position (internal or external) of the gas generator(s) with respect to the inflatable element 12. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11-13, the number and the position (internal or external) of the gas generators with respect to the inflatable element 12 may be those shown in FIGS. 6-9 or that shown in FIG. 10.

Apart from these differences, it can be seen that in both the embodiments the generator(s) is/are adapted to introduce gas from the lower-back zone so as to reach the chest passing underneath the armpits.

As a result, by means of the protection device 210, 310, 410, 510 according to the present disclosure, the inflation gas is introduced from the lower-back zone, so as to reach very rapidly the chest zone, passing underneath the armpits. As a result, in accordance with a number of embodiments of the present disclosure such as those shown, the gas cannot pass through the high zone of the back and shoulders in order to reach the chest.

Moreover, in all the embodiments of the present disclosure, such as the ones shown, the inflatable element 12 of the protection device 210, 310, 410, 510 further includes a back protection portion 33, of sufficiently large size to protect the back and connected to the left chest area 14 c and the right chest area 13 c, by means of connecting portions which are adapted to be arranged on the shoulders along the sides of the neck, as described below.

As a result of the above, in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, with the protection device according to the present disclosure it is possible to inflate the chest area passing below the armpits and reaching the back from the chest area passing via the shoulders, in a direction from the front zone to the rear zone.

Owing to the “lower-back” position of one 18 or both the gas generators 118 a, 118 b, therefore, it is possible to leave space for the back protection portion 33 and moreover, in accordance with some embodiments, it is possible to combine the inflatable element 12 with a back protector 30, not visible in the drawings and positioned underneath or above the back protection portion 33, without impeding the mobility of the user.

In this case, the pressurised-gas generator 18 or gas generators 118 a, 118 b may in fact be supported by a lumbar protector, or by a support 31 fixed to the back protector 30 or on a bottom appendage 31 of the back protector, as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the pressurised-gas generator 18 or the gas generators 118 a, 118 b may be supported on a support associated with a garment of the user or on another support. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a protective plate 32, arranged on the outer side, may be provided in order to protect the pressurised-gas generator 18 from external impacts.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the protection device 210, 310, 410 comprises at least one traction element 23, for example an elastic band which connects the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a and prevents any mutual separating movement when the inflatable element 12 is rapidly inflated by the gas.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the inflatable element 12 includes a right neck portion 25 intended to be placed around a right neck region 26 and a left neck portion 27 intended to be placed around a left neck region 28. The right neck portion 25 is connected in fluid communication with the right chest area 13 b, 213 b, 313 b and the left neck portion 27 is connected in fluid communication with the left chest area 14 b, 214 b, 314 b.

As a result, with respect to a flow path for the gas from the “lower-back” area, the right neck portion 25 is an inflation area more remote than the right chest area 13 b, 213 b, 313 b and the left neck portion 27 is an inflation area more remote than the left chest area 14 b, 214 b, 314 b.

Similarly, as a result, with respect to a flow path for the gas from the “lower-back” area, the back protection portion 33 is an inflation area more remote than the right chest area 13 b, 213 b, 313 b and the left chest area 14 b, 214 b, 314 b.

The right neck portion 25 and the left neck portion 27 constitute the aforementioned regions where the gas can pass from the front zone to the back protection zone 33.

Moreover, in one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the device 210, 310, 410, 510 also comprises a right shoulder portion 34 intended to be placed on a right shoulder 35 and a left shoulder portion 36 intended to be placed on a left shoulder 37.

The right shoulder portion 34 is in fluid communication with, and branches off from, the right neck portion 25 and the left neck portion 36 is in fluid communication with, and branches off from, the left neck portion 27, as can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 9.

In this way, the same inflation gas which reaches the right chest area 13 b, 213 b, 313 b and the left chest area 14 b, 214 b, 314 b may be used to protect rapidly also the neck and shoulder region of the user.

It should be noted that the left shoulder portion 36 and the right shoulder portion 34 are not to be regarded as essential portions and, in some embodiments not shown in the figures, these left and right shoulder portions are not present.

In one embodiment, such as the one shown in the figures, the right neck portion 25 and the left neck portion 27 are joined together in a zone at the back of the neck so as to form one piece with the back protection portion 33. This thus prevents any movement away from each other of the right neck portion 25 and the left neck portion 27 when the inflatable element 12 is rapidly inflated by the gas.

It may be seen that the personal protection device 210, 310, 410, 510 can also be easily worn. In fact a user may place the right lower rear back area 13 a and the left lower rear back area 14 a on the lower-back zone, the right neck portion 25 and the left neck portion 27 on the back of his/her neck, and the back protection portion 33 on the high back zone, inserting his/her arms over the left side zone 14 c and the right side zone 13 c. In this way, it is possible to position on the chest the right chest area 13 b, 213 b, 313 b and the left chest area 14 b, 214 b, 314 b.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in the figures, the personal protection device 210, 310, 410, 510 comprises at least a first band 38 connected to the right shoulder portion 34 and forming with the right shoulder portion 34 an annular structure for receiving an arm of a user. The personal protection device 210, 310, 410, 510 also includes a second band 39 connected to the left shoulder portion 36 and forming with the left shoulder portion 36 an annular structure for receiving the other arm of a user. The first band 38 and the second band 39 allow the right shoulder portion 34 and the left shoulder portion 36 to be kept in position 36 when the inflatable element 12 is rapidly inflated by the gas.

It is understood that the left chest area and the right chest area of the inflatable element may be two inflatable bags joined by means of a zip or other connecting structure, or may be united in a single bag continuously. In this latter case, the personal protection device must be worn by passing it over the head.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in FIGS. 6-10, the personal protection device 210, 310 comprises a connecting structure 40 for connecting the first protective portion 13 and the second protective portion 14 in the chest area of the user. In particular, the right chest area 13 b and the left chest area 14 b are connected together.

The connecting structure may be a zip which extends continuously along a respective free edge of the right chest area 13 b and the left chest area 14 b, in order to ensure a continuous connection.

It should be noted that, owing to the presence of the connecting structure 40, the traction element 23 and/or the bands 38, 39, it is possible to obtain a protection device which can be easily worn and may remain in position also during inflation.

In one embodiment, such as the one shown in FIG. 11, in the personal protection device 410, the left chest area and the right chest area of the inflatable elements are two differently sized bags, one larger-size bag (the right chest area 213 b) covering continuously the entire chest area, and one smaller-size bag (the left chest area 214 b). The smaller-size bag acts as a channel for the gas flow, so as to allow the back protection portion 33 to be reached passing via the shoulders. In particular the presence of the “channel” allows the back protection portion 33 to be inflated in a homogeneous manner on the right and left. At the same time, the presence of a larger-size bag which covers the chest zone continuously allows the entire chest of a user to be protected in a continuous manner.

In one embodiment, such as that shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, in the personal protection device 510, the left chest area 314 b and the right chest area 313 b of the inflatable element 12 are two bags overlapped in a front zone, which may be a central front zone.

Even more particularly, the two overlapped bags have, in the overlapped zone, a height which is smaller than the remaining part of the personal protection device so as to ensure a substantial homogeneity of height of the entire personal protection device (as visible in FIG. 13). The different height is obtained using textile structures with yarns of different height as described in the patent application PCT/IB2009/055512 and in the patent application PCT/IT2009/000547 mentioned above.

In order to join together the two overlapped bags, a connecting structure 340, such as a zip, may be used. In this case, the zip or other connecting structure 340 includes fabric portions 341 provided with elastic inserts 342 connected to the left chest area 314 b and to the right chest area 313 b of the inflatable element 12. In this way, owing to the overlapped arrangement and the presence of the connecting structure 340, the inflatable element 12 may be closed in the central front zone of the user's torso, without however interrupting the continuous protection. In an alternative embodiment, the strips of fabric 341 are made of a totally elastic fabric.

It is to be understood that the personal protection devices 210, 310, 410, 510 forming the subject of the present invention may be worn on their own as a separate garment, which may be lined with a fabric having an appearance to the liking of the user, or with a comfortable and practical fabric, or may be incorporated in suitable pockets inside a garment, such as a motorcyclist's jacket or suit.

With regard to inflation, in order to perform inflation of the inflatable element 12, in the event of a fall and/or sliding and/or sudden impact involving a user or a vehicle being ridden, the protection device 210, 310, 410, 510 is adapted to cooperate with special activation means (not shown) which are operationally connected to one or more pressurised-gas generators 18, 118 a, 118 b which may be a cylinder containing a compressed cold gas, such as helium. The cylinder may be provided with a respective shut-off valve (not shown).

It should be noted that in all the embodiments described above the position of the cylinder(s) with respect to the inflatable element 12 is such as to allow, for the inflation fluid, the minimum path for inflating both the first protective portion 13 and the second protective portion 14 in the chest area of the user.

Alternatively, the inflation fluid source may comprise gas generators of the pyrotechnic or hybrid type or other types known according to the state of the art.

Opening of the shut-off valve of each inflation cylinder is preferably controlled by a control unit depending on detection of the user state; for example said control unit may implement a system for predicting the fall which allows early identification of the fall event and a reliable prediction of this by accelerometer sensor means attached to the vehicle/ski (or rider/skier) and a unit for processing the signals produced by the said sensors.

Alternatively, the device according to the present disclosure may also be applied using an activation cable connected to a vehicle ridden by a user, which cable activates inflation of the inflatable element following the movement of the user away from the vehicle, following a fall or a sudden impact.

In any case the aforementioned activation and inflation means may be integrated in the protection device according to the present invention or located on the outside thereof.

It should also be noted that the activation modes, although being an aspect of particular importance for effective operation of the device, will not be further described in greater detail since they are methods which are essentially already known to a person skilled in the art of protection of an individual from sudden impacts.

The subject-matter of the present disclosure has been described hitherto with reference to preferred embodiments thereof. It is to be understood that other embodiments relating to the same inventive idea may exist, all of these falling within the scope of protection of the claims which are attached hereinbelow. 

1. A personal protection device for protecting a body portion of a user, said device comprising i) an inflatable element intended to protect at least partially a torso area of the user and including a first protective portion intended to protect at least a first lateral torso area, and a second protective portion intended to protect at least the other lateral torso area of the user, wherein the first protective portion includes a right lower rear back area, or right lower-back, and a right chest area and a right side area arranged between the right lower rear back area and the right chest area and adapted to be positioned below a right armpit area, the second protective portion includes a left lower rear back area, or left lower-back, a left chest area and a left side area arranged between the left lower rear back area and the left chest area and adapted to be positioned below a left armpit area, and ii) one or more gas generators, or gas sources, in fluid communication with said right lower rear back area and said left lower rear back area so as to introduce gas into, or starting from, said right lower rear back area and said left lower rear back area.
 2. The personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the right lower rear back area is in fluid communication with the right chest area through the right side area without fluid communication through a high back zone, and wherein the left lower rear back area is in communication with a left chest area through the left side area without fluid communication through a high back zone.
 3. The personal protection device according to claim 2, wherein the right lower rear back area is in fluid communication with the right chest area only through the right side area, and wherein the left lower rear back area is in communication with a left chest area only through the left side area.
 4. The personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the first protective portion and the second protective portion each have a substantially C-shaped form and are arranged with their concavities directed towards each other to define an annular configuration or structure of the inflatable element.
 5. The personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable element also includes a back protection portion.
 6. The personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the right lower rear back area is in fluid communication with the back protection portion through the right chest area and the right side area, and wherein the left lower rear back area is in communication with the back protection zone through a left chest area and the left side area, without direct fluid communication through a back zone.
 7. The personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the pressurised gas generator is arranged in an intermediate zone between said right lower rear back area and said left lower rear back area.
 8. The personal protection device according to claim 1, further comprising a gas generator arranged within the right lower rear back area of the inflatable element and a gas generator arranged within the left lower rear back area of the inflatable element.
 9. The personal protection device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one traction element which connecting said right lower rear back area and said left lower rear back area.
 10. The personal protection device according to claim 9, wherein the traction element is an elastic band.
 11. The personal protection device according to claim 5, wherein the inflatable element includes a right neck portion intended to be placed on the side of a right neck region and a left neck portion intended to be placed on the side of a left neck region, wherein the right neck portion is in fluid communication with the right chest area and the back protection zone, and wherein the left neck portion is in fluid communication with the left chest area and the back protection zone.
 12. The personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the inflatable element includes a right neck portion intended to be placed around a right neck region and a left neck portion intended to be placed around a left neck region, wherein the right neck portion is in fluid communication with the right chest area and the left neck portion is in fluid communication with the left chest area.
 13. The personal protection device according to claim 11, wherein the right neck portion and the left neck portion are joined together in a zone behind the neck.
 14. The personal protection device according to claim 11, wherein, with respect to an area for introduction of the gas, the right neck portion is an inflation area at a greater distance than the right chest area and the left neck portion is an inflation area at a greater distance than the left chest area.
 15. The personal protection according to claim 11, further including a right shoulder portion intended to be placed on a right shoulder and a left shoulder portion intended to be placed on a left shoulder, wherein the right shoulder portion is in fluid communication with, and branches off from, the right neck portion, and the left shoulder portion is in fluid communication with, and branches off from, the left neck portion.
 16. The personal protection device according to claim 15, further comprising at least a first band connected to the right shoulder portion and forming with said right shoulder portion an annular or circular structure for receiving an arm of the user, and a second band connected to the left shoulder portion and forming with said left shoulder portion an annular or circular structure for receiving the other arm of the user.
 17. The personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the left chest area and the right chest area of the inflatable element are two differently sized bags, a first bag being bigger and continuously covering the entire chest area and the second being smaller and acting as a channel for the gas flowing towards the back protection portion.
 18. The personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the right chest area and the left chest area are a single bag.
 19. The personal protection device according to claim 1, wherein the right chest area and the left chest area are two separate bags and wherein the personal protection device includes a connecting structure for connecting the right chest area and the left chest area.
 20. The personal protection device according to claim 19, wherein the right chest area and the left chest area are two bags overlapped in a central chest zone.
 21. A method for protecting a user comprising the steps of arranging an inflatable element at least partially on a torso area of the user, wherein a first protective portion is placed in a first lateral torso area between a right lower rear back area, or right lower-back, and a right chest area, passing on a right side below a right armpit area, and a second protective portion is placed on the other lateral torso area of the user between a left lower rear back area, or left lower-back, and a left chest area passing on a left side below a left armpit area; connecting or associating said right lower rear back area and said left lower rear back area with one or more gas generators or gas sources; and inflating said inflatable element starting from the right lower rear back area and starting from said left lower rear back area so as to reach the chest area passing below the armpits.
 22. The method according to claim 21, wherein a back protection portion of the inflatable element is placed so as to protect the back.
 23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the first protective portion and the second protective portion each a have a substantially C-shaped form and are arranged with their concavities directed towards each other so as to define an annular configuration or structure of the inflatable element.
 24. The method according to claim 21, wherein the gas does not pass through a high back zone to reach the right chest area and the left chest area.
 25. The method according to claim 22, wherein the gas reaches the back protection zone passing only through the right chest area and the left chest area. 